Spark

Gentle Medley from Sherwin Williams

What will influence colors in fashion and design for 2011? The social and economic climate has a fascinating and direct impact on color trends in clothing and home decor. When times are hard, or perceived to be so, colors tend to be more somber or gentle, as if to say “we aren’t pretending to be too happy”. It’s sort of an apology from the design world because they must keep churning out aesthetics no matter what people can afford or how they feel about spending money on “pretty things”.

Recently I attended a designer color workshop hosted by Sherwin Williams. Their color specialists predicted four major color trends based on current concepts in global travel, classic refinement, technological invention and vintage nostalgia. Over the next few weeks, I’ll show you each color palette and let you decide what your color story will be in 2011.

House Beautiful

The Gentle Medley from Sherwin Williams is a fresh, airy color palette that speaks of  innocence and better days. The colors are soft and sweet, but no too sugary. Think of hand painted vintage photographs and sun faded fabrics, well loved quilts and just picked wild flowers. The softer blues and peaches look modern paired with slate gray or chocolate brown. Posing these colors against a backdrop of creams and white gives the impression of a beach cottage or farm house.

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

It’s no secret that I melt for this color palette. I’m always drawn to vintage inspired colors, chipped edges, and a time worn patina. One of my favorite colors to use by Benjamin Moore in Covington Blue. It is a perfect compliment to soft tones of cream, gray, pink or yellow as well as bright retro reds and oranges. For my Allandale cottage kitchen, I used my grandmothers vintage china as a launchpad for color with Covington Blue on the walls. It makes me happy everytime I see it!

Misty's Kitchen by Adrienne Breaux